DECLARATION ON CARDINAL ETCHEGARAY'S VISIT TO CHINA

VATICAN CITY, SEP 12, 2000 (VIS) - Following is a declaration made today by Holy See Press Office Director Joaquin Navarro-Valls on Cardinal Roger Etchegaray's forthcoming trip to Beijing, China:

"I have been asked about the significance of Cardinal Roger Etchegaray's participation in a symposium on 'Religions and Peace' that will be held in Beijing, China, from September 14 to 16, within the framework of the Social Sciences Academy and organized by an Italo-Chinese cultural association.

"The cardinal will be participating in a purely personal capacity and has not been given any kind of diplomatic mission. Any contacts he may make cannot be interpreted as a recognition of the existing ecclesiastical structures.

"The cardinal's journey simply accords with the logic of the message that, on December 8, 1999, Pope John Paul II addressed to all Chinese Catholics without distinction: "I learned with joy that you wish to offer, as a precious gift for the celebration of the Great Jubilee, unity between yourselves and with Peter's Successor. This intention can only be the fruit of the Spirit that leads His Church along the difficult paths of reconciliation and unity'."

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AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, SEP 12, 2000 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in audience Olusegun Obasanjo, president of the Republic of Nigeria, accompanied by his wife and an entourage.

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JUBILEE THEME: "THE UNIVERSITY FOR A NEW HUMANISM"

VATICAN CITY, SEP 9, 2000 (VIS) - This morning in the Paul VI Hall, the Holy Father welcomed 7,000 participants in the Jubilee of Universities and, in his speech, highlighted the theme of their meetings this past week: "The University for a New Humanism."

Prior to the Pope's arrival and speech, there was the Liturgy of the Word, an address by Archbishop Francois Xavier Nguyen Van Thuan, president of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, and an introduction to today's Jubilee celebrations by Prof. Sergio Zaninelli, rector of Sacred Heart Catholic University. Various speakers then addressed the theme studied this week by the academic community, as well as recent trends in universities. There was also a presentation of a synthesis of the international congresses of the World Meeting of University Professors.

In opening remarks, the Pope pointed out that "the basic theme which you have considered - The University for a New Humanism - fits well with the Jubilee's rediscovery of the centrality of Christ. In fact, the event of the Incarnation touches the very depths of humanity. ... As men and women of learning, you never cease to enquire into the value of the human person."

"You have chosen," he went on, "to affirm the need for a university culture which is genuinely 'humanistic', - in the sense, primarily - that culture must correspond to the human person and overcome the temptations to a knowledge which yields to pragmatism. ... That is why you have emphasized that there is no contradiction, but rather a logical connection, between freedom of research and recognition of truth. It is to truth that all research looks. ... This is an aspect which needs to be underlined, lest we succumb to the climate of relativism to which a large part of today's culture falls prey. ... A culture without truth does not safeguard freedom but puts it at risk."

The Holy Father observed that "Christian humanism implies first of all an openness to the Transcendent. It is here that we find the truth and the grandeur of the human person." He added that we must be wary of "a culture which doubts the very ability of reason to arrive at the truth. This path runs the risk of misconstruing faith by reducing it to a feeling, to emotion, to art, in the end stripping faith of all critical foundation. ... Faith does not sprout from the ashes of reason!"

The Pope pointed to the "need for the human and natural sciences to enter into dialogue once again. ... Scientific and technological progress in our day puts into human hands possibilities which are both magnificent and frightening."

He urged those involved in scientific research to "make universities 'cultural laboratories' in which theology, philosophy, human sciences and natural sciences may engage in constructive dialogue, looking to the moral law as an intrinsic requirement of research."

"The humanism which we desire advocates a vision of society centered on the human person and his inalienable rights, on the values of justice and peace, on a correct relationship between individuals, society and the State, on the logic of solidarity and subsidiarity."

In closing, John Paul II recognized that "the university, too, ... is experiencing the trials of the present time. Nevertheless, it makes an irreplaceable contribution to culture.. ... The Church, which historically has played a primary role in the actual birth of universities, continues to look upon them with deep fondness."

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PENITENTIAL CELEBRATIONS LEAD TO CHRIST

VATICAN CITY, SEP 9, 2000 (VIS) - In the Vatican Basilica at 11 a.m., John Paul II received 2,500 Italian pilgrims from two dioceses and several parishes, as well as former students of the French seminary in Rome and faithful from the diocese of Saint Catherines in Canada.

The Pope recalled that today is the feast day of St. Peter Claver, "Jesuit priest, apostle to deported black people and model for those who still today make prodigious efforts to alleviate the conditions of the suffering. In the spirit of the Jubilee, his example helps us to comprehend one of the duties that arises from this fundamental event: attention to those who, constrained by circumstance, abandon their countries and suffer torment at the hands of those who take advantage of the poverty of others."

"Through individual confession and the special penitential celebrations of the Jubilee, as well as through the celebration of other Sacraments, the believer undertakes a journey that leads to Christ."

Addressing priests and bishops who were former students of Rome's French seminary, the Holy Father encouraged the directors of the seminary to "carry out their mission, so important for the life of the Church, in the hope that the French seminary may continue to be, especially for the Francophone world, a special place for the flowering of numerous generations of priests, called to be 'heralds of the Gospel' for the new millennium."

The Pope expressed the wish that their stay in Rome would give pilgrims from the diocese of Saint Catherines in Canada, "a new and deeper experience of God's mercy, so that when you return to Canada you will bear more powerful witness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God and Savior of the world."

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UNIVERSITY'S' TASK IS TO ANNOUNCE, DEFEND AND PROPAGATE TRUTH

VATICAN CITY, SEP 10, 2000 (VIS) - This morning, John Paul II presided at a Eucharistic celebration in St. Peter's Square for the occasion of the Jubilee of Universities. In his homily he sought to highlight that the vocation of professors and students is "to make of the university an environment where knowledge is cultivated and a place where people find method, knowledge and the encouragement to render qualified service to society."

Commenting today's liturgy of the Word, the Pope asked whether "the deaf-mute mentioned in the Gospel does not perhaps evoke the situation of those who do not manage to establish a communication that gives true meaning to existence? In a certain way, it leads us to think of the man who closes himself in a presumed autonomy, in which he ends up being isolated before God and often, also before his fellows. To this man, ... Jesus offers the extraordinary opportunity to encounter God who is love and who allows Himself to be known by those who love; He offers them salvation."

The Pope continued: "For you, dear brothers and sisters, who are committed to study and research, this word constitutes an appeal to open your spirit to the truth that makes you free. ... Every day, you are involved in announcing, defending and propagating truth. ... Even in research on aspects of life that seem completely removed from faith, there lies hidden a desire for truth and for meaning that goes beyond the specific and the contingent."
John Paul II highlighted that, "in the face of the challenge (to create) an authentic and integral new humanism, universities need people attentive to the Word of the one Master, they need qualified professionals and credible witnesses of Christ. Certainly not an easy mission, it requires constant commitment, it is nourished by prayer and study and is expressed in the normality of everyday life."

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